Clyde Grasslands spotlight

Alt text — Some of the beautiful wildflowers blooming across the region.

Grassland Nature Networks

Clyde Grasslands was launched by the GCV Green Network in 2023 as a new initiative seeking to reverse the catastrophic decline of grasslands and meadows across Glasgow City Region.

In a relatively short space of time Clyde Grasslands has made a significant impact, raising awareness of why grasslands are important and starting to direct delivery to those locations likely to have the greatest impact.

Regional Approach

Local authorities have been tasked with delivering Nature Networks for wildlife as part of NPF4 (the National Planning Framework). As our native species travel across council boundaries it makes sense to take a collective, regional approach to creating these. The result is our draft regional Grassland Nature Networks. This work has allowed us and partners to identify a suite of early project opportunities on council-owned and managed land that will strengthen and link up our Grassland Nature Networks.

Marvelous Meadows

Across the City Region, newly created meadows with a wide variety of wildflowers are developing into a spectacular, nature-rich asset for both people and wildlife.

For example, in Inverclyde we’ve seen over 6ha of new habitat created across 20 sites in Greenock and Port Glasgow, funded through Inverclyde Council’s Nature Restoration Fund allocation and delivered by Green Action Trust.

The GCV Green Network team's work on producing a Grassland Nature Network has guided this delivery and will continue to do so in future years. It's hoped this model will be replicated across all eight local authorities.

Different Approaches to meadow creation in Inverclyde

Groundwork has already been made on large scale plantings across Inverclyde. Projects in this area have varied considerably in size, location and in soil condition so different approaches to meadow creation were needed. Only one site used a plough attached to a tractor to remove the grasses that can out-compete wildflowers. This approach is only appropriate on sites with good soil depth and quality.

The majority of sites in Inverclyde had poorer soils, in these sites the approach was to cut grass tightly with the tractor, rake off the cuttings, and then overseed. With these different approaches, we can expect differing results, but we are looking forward to see the wildflowers really begin to establish themselves in 2025.

An inspiration for the future

As an example of what is possible, Maukinhill grasslands in Greenock already offer a tantalising glimpse into the future. Sitting within a Grassland Nature Network, this site has had minimal interventions over the years, and in 2024 it was agreed the only work required was to cut pathways through the grassland for recreation. This area has now become a spectacular, nature-rich asset for the local community, with orchids dotted among a sea of buttercups.

Clyde Grasslands will continue to monitor progress across all grassland sites, and will continue to provide updates about this and other work taking place across the region.

Clyde Grasslands Report

GCV Green Network commissioned analysis to identify opportunities to create Grassland Nature Networks. You can read the full report below.

This project was supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.

Download Report

Clyde Grasslands spotlight